Alignment Device For a Prosthetic Leg Sleeve Pin

ABSTRACT

A prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device has a support, and a body extending from the support. The body has a cup defining an inner wall surface defining a sleeve-receiving recess having a longitudinal axis and defining a sleeve pin-receiving guide hole to a sleeve-pin receiving pin guide aperture. The sleeve pin-receiving pin guide aperture has a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/754,073, filed on Jan. 18, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to prosthetic leg sleeve pins, and more particularly to alignment devices for same.

BACKGROUND

Below-the-knee prosthetic legs are typically attached using a suspension sleeve that covers the amputated leg stump and includes a sleeve pin that then locks onto the prosthetic leg. The sleeve is placed on the leg stump by holding the sleeve pin in one hand with the sleeve turned inside out. The sleeve pin is held perpendicular and aligned straight out from the stump while another hand is used to roll the sleeve onto the leg stump. The result should be that the sleeve pin is projecting perpendicular to the stump end, leaving no air between the stump and the sleeve, so that the prosthetic leg can be readily attached (see, e.g., Littig U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,234 and Biedermann et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,026, the complete disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference). If the sleeve pin is not positioned correctly, the user cannot easily direct the sleeve pin into the locking hole of the prosthetic leg. If the pin is not aligned properly, the person must take the sleeve off and try again. For individuals that have amputated legs that are far down on the leg, it is very difficult to bend over and hold the sleeve pin perpendicular to the end of the stump. If the person is elderly or overweight, it is almost impossible to hold the pin perpendicular without help from someone else.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device comprises a support, and a body extending from the support. The body comprises a cup defining an inner wall surface defining a sleeve-receiving recess having a longitudinal axis and defining a sleeve pin-receiving guide hole to a sleeve-pin receiving pin guide aperture. The sleeve pin-receiving pin guide aperture has a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess.

Implementation of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following additional features. The longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess is coaxial with the central axis of the pin-receiving pin guide aperture. The longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess is coaxial with the central axis of the pin-receiving pin guide aperture. The support is a base disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the body. The predetermined angle of the body to the base is in the range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The predetermined angle is about 45 degrees. The cup-shaped sleeve-receiving recess is 4.5 inches in diameter and 2.75 inches deep. The body, in at least a region of the sleeve-receiving recess, is cylindrical and defines an outer surface sized and shaped to receive there-over a portion of a prosthetic sleeve extending from said recess. The body is cylindrical. The predetermined angle is adjustable. The support is a handle. At least a portion of said inner wall surface defining the sleeve-receiving recess lies parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess. At least a portion of the inner wall surface defining the sleeve-receiving recess lies parallel to the central axis of the pin-receiving pin guide aperture.

Advantages of this device include allowing a person using a below-the-knee prosthesis to more easily attach the prosthesis to his/her leg stump. By stabilizing and supporting the sleeve pin, the requirement for personal maneuverability is reduced, and aligning the sleeve pin with the leg stump can be accomplished successfully despite relatively reduced personal levels of, e.g., balance, dexterity, and/or ability to bend over from the waist. Advantages also include increasing the independence of the person with a below-the-knee prosthesis, by allowing him/her to independently mount and/or dismount prosthesis with limited or no assistance from others.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an alignment device of this disclosure for a prosthetic leg sleeve pin.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the alignment device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-8 are somewhat schematic, cross sectional views sequentially showing a method for using the alignment device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic view of another implementation of an alignment device of this disclosure in which the support has the form of a handle.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are somewhat diagrammatic side section and top views, respectively, of a first configuration of the axis of a sleeve-receiving recess defined by a cup and the axis of a pin guide hole defined by the cup.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are somewhat diagrammatic side section and top views, respectively, of a second configuration of the axis of the sleeve-receiving recess and the axis of a pin guide hole.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are somewhat diagrammatic side section and top view, respectively, of a third configuration of the axis a sleeve-receiving recess and the axis of the pin guide hole. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below-the-knee prosthetic legs are typically attached by means of a suspension sleeve that covers the leg stump above the amputation and includes a sleeve pin that extends from the sleeve, generally coaxial to the leg stump, to engage and lock into the prosthetic leg.

Referring to FIG. 1 et seq., the alignment device 10 is a fixture the holds the sleeve 30 with the sleeve pin 32 in proper alignment, allowing an amputee to proceed through the process of attaching a prosthetic device with the sleeve pin in proper position, all with limited or no assistance, and reducing the need to bend and reach, e.g. as required while trying to align the sleeve pin with the stump, absent availability of the alignment device 10. Referring to FIG. 1, in one implementation, the alignment device 10 has a support in the form of a base 12 that stabilizes a cylindrical guide or body 14 at a predetermined angle in an upright position on a floor surface. The cylindrical guide 14 has a vertical portion 16 and an angled portion 18 that are joined together at an angle 20. The angled portion 18 terminates at its upper end in the form of an open cup 22 defining a sleeve-receiving recess 23. The cup 22 has a diameter sized to receive the sleeve 30 and user's leg stump 5.

Referring to FIG. 2, which shows the alignment device 10 in cross section, the cup 22 has a cup-like shape, with a generally cylindrical wall 24 and a curved bottom. The wall 24 defines an inner wall surface 26 that defines the sleeve-receiving recess 23. The inner wall surface 26 also defines a sleeve pin-receiving guide hole 25 to a sleeve-pin receiving pin guide aperture 28 generally at its center and axially aligned along its longitudinal axis with the angled portion 18 of the alignment device 10. The axis of the cylindrical wall 24 is parallel to the pin guide aperture 28, e.g. the inner wall surface 26 of the cup 22 defining the sleeve-receiving recess 23 and the guide hole 25 to the sleeve-pin receiving aperture 28 have a common axis. The cup 22 is mounted to and extends generally from the cylindrical walls 24 of the angled portion 18. The angled portion 18 defines a hollow pin guide aperture 28. The pin guide hole 25 is aligned with the pin guide aperture 28 such that the sleeve pin 32 can easily fit through the pin guide hole 25 and extend into pin guide aperture 28.

Referring also to FIG. 3, in preparation for donning the sleeve 30, the amputee inserts the sleeve pin 32 through the pin guide hole 25 and into pin guide aperture 28. The sleeve 30 is positioned in the cup 22 with attached sleeve pin 32 inserted into the alignment device 10 through the pin guide hole 25 and pin guide aperture 28. The upper portion of sleeve 30 is then rolled back over the outside of the cup 22, into a “ready” position. The amputee, while sitting on a chair or bed, then inserts the distal end of the leg stump 5 into the sleeve 30 resting in the cup 22 (FIG. 4). The upper portion of the sleeve 30 can then be rolled up onto the leg stump 5 (FIG. 5), while the alignment device holds the pin 32 coaxially aligned with the leg stump 5, greatly simplifying the process while reducing or eliminating the presence (and discomfort) of trapped air between the sleeve and stump. The leg stump 5, with the attached sleeve 30 and sleeve pin 32 secured in proper alignment, is then removed from the cup (FIG. 6), and the sleeve pin 32 in inserted into a prosthetic leg 50 in alignment (FIGS. 7 and 8). Since the pin has been aligned properly through use of the alignment device 10, the pin connects easily to the prosthetic leg. In practice, it has been found that the entire process can take less than, e.g., 30 seconds to complete.

Referring again to the Figures, the axis of the cylindrical walls 24 defining the sleeve recess 23 is parallel to the pin guide hole 25 to the pin guide aperture 28, e.g. coaxial. The lip 40 of the cup 22 defines a plane, P, lying perpendicular to the common axis of the recess and guide hole. In one implementation, the cup 22 has an inside diameter of approximately 4.5 inches and depth to the curved bottom surface 26 of approximately 2.75 inches, which accommodates most amputated leg stumps. The center of the cup top plane of one suitable implementation is approximately 14 inches from the floor surface. The pin guide hole 25 is approximately ⅜ inch in diameter and 4 inches long, in order to easily accommodate a prosthetic leg suspension sleeve pin. The angle of the pin guide with respect to the floor surface is typically in the ranges of 0 and 90 degrees, e.g. 45 degrees. Suitable materials for the cylindrical guide 14 of the alignment device 10 include PVC plastic, with a wood base 12. In one implementation, the alignment device weighs approximately nine pounds. The device can be made more portable, e.g., by simplifying the support structure and/or by selection of other suitable materials or arrangements.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the alignment device has been described as a fixed structure, the height and/or angle of the alignment device could be made adjustable by any means known in the art, e.g. by means of a flexible (accordion type) elbow 60 (FIG. 8), by means of a pair of co-rotating, cooperative elbow elements (indicated by dashed line) 70 (FIG. 8), etc., to accommodate the height or sitting elevation of a range of individuals and/or seating surfaces.

Also, in another implementation of a prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of the disclosure, referring to FIG. 9, the device 10′ may have a support in the form of an L-shaped handle 50 offset parallel to and attached at the distal end 52 of the body 14′, i.e. instead of a base (e.g. base 12, FIG. 1). In this implementation, a user would place the sleeve pin in the sleeve pin aperture and fold the sleeve back onto the body 14′. Then, the handle 52 with either hand, the user would hold the body out and place their stump into the recess cup 22′ and, using their other hand, roll the sleeve onto their leg. This handle 50 would thus replace the base, making it more portable, lighter weight, easier to store, etc.

In implementations of the disclosure, the sleeve-receiving recess defined by the cup 22′ and the pin guide hole 25′ defined by the cup may, e.g., have a common axis, A′, B′, with a parallel wall 24′ (FIGS. 10A and 10B); or the sleeve-receiving recess defined by the cup 22″and the pin guide hole 25″ defined by the cup may, e.g., have non-common but parallel axes A″, B″, with a parallel wall 24″ (FIGS. 11A and 11B); or the sleeve-receiving recess defined by the cup 22′″ and the pin guide hole 25′″ defined by the cup may, e.g., have common axes A′″, B′″, with a wall 24′″ that is at least partially non-parallel (FIGS. 12A and 12B). Other arrangements may also be implemented.

Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device comprising: a support, and a body extending from the support, said body comprising a cup defining an inner wall surface defining a sleeve-receiving recess having a longitudinal axis and defining a sleeve pin-receiving guide hole to a sleeve-pin receiving pin guide aperture, the sleeve pin-receiving pin guide aperture having a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess.
 2. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess is coaxial with said central axis of the pin-receiving pin guide aperture.
 3. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein the cup defines a lip opening to said sleeve-receiving recess, with said lip opening lying perpendicular to said central axis of the sleeve pin-receiving pin guide aperture.
 4. The prosthetic sleeve and pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein said support is a base disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the body.
 5. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 4, wherein said predetermined angle of said body to said base is in the range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees.
 6. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 5, wherein said predetermined angle is about 45 degrees.
 7. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein said cup-shaped sleeve-receiving recess is 4.5 inches in diameter and 2.75 inches deep.
 8. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein said body, in at least a region of said sleeve-receiving recess, is cylindrical and defines an outer surface sized and shaped to receive there-over a portion of a prosthetic sleeve extending from said recess.
 9. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein said body is cylindrical.
 10. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 4, wherein said predetermined angle is adjustable.
 11. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein said support is a handle.
 12. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said inner wall surface defining said sleeve-receiving recess lies parallel to said longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess.
 13. The prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said inner wall surface defining said sleeve-receiving recess lies parallel to said central axis of the pin-receiving pin guide aperture. 